Content about Port Washington

May 22, 2013
Home beverage products quench consumer thirst

Research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group shows that in the 12 months ended March 2013, sales of home beverage appliances were more than $2.6 billion.

Home beverage appliances include home soda machines, single-serve coffeemakers, drip coffeemakers, espresso makers, countertop blenders, juice extractors, citrus juicers and tea makers.

March 20, 2013
Study: Floor care industry is cleaning up online

A report from Port Washington, N.Y.-based The NPD Group shows online sales of floor care products are way up.

A report from Port Washington, N.Y.-based The NPD Group shows online sales of floor care products are way up.

The NPD Group estimates that online purchases for U.S. floor care products increased 31% in dollar sales in 2012, versus 2011. Online sales accounted for 16% of total floor care dollars in 2012.


January 24, 2013
Smoke detectors, by the numbers

Consumer data show smoke-detector sales rising steadily over the past two years, with a double-digit increase on top of a double-digit increase.

Channel analysis

Consumer data show smoke-detector sales rising steadily over the past two years, with a double-digit increase on top of a double-digit increase. The category — inclusive of carbon monoxide detectors — plays out largely in the big boxes, with 54.1% of sales from September through August occurring in the warehouse home centers, according to the data from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group.

November 2, 2012
Glue and adhesives, by the numbers

Channel analysis
The dollar volume of glue and adhesives surged 38.0% in the 12 months ended August 2012, according to consumer research from The NPD Group, based in Port Washington, N.Y. Dollar sales outpaced unit sales, indicating a propensity to pay more from an increasingly sophisticated product range of glues.

August 30, 2012
Stat Flash: NPD U.S. Economic Perception Indicator

Consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group shows consumers are slightly less confident about the economy but are feeling better than last year.

The August 2012 NPD U.S. Economic Perception Indicator, a measure of consumer confidence, decreased slightly to 39.2, on a scale of 0 -- "very concerned" -- to 100 -- "very confident."

The August reading is down from 39.7 in July. A year ago, the perception indicator index was at 35.1.

August 1, 2012
Grills, by the numbers

Channel analysis
During the 12 months from June 2011 through May 2012, dollar sales of barbecue grills increased to $1.390 billion, up 1.2% from the previous year, according to Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group. The company’s consumer research shows unit volume increased even more — up 6.7%. The consumer panel shows hardware stores losing dollar share to warehouse home centers and unit share to mass merchants.

July 2, 2012
Trimmers, by the numbers

Channel analysis

From May 2011 through April 2012, dollar volume of trimmer sales increased 8.9% to around $845 million, compared with a relatively weak prior-year period, according to consumer research from The NPD Group, based in Port Washington, N.Y. According to the channel breakdown, hardware stores and home centers appear to be gaining at the expense of mass retailers and department stores.            

April 4, 2012
PACOA reports increased attendance at show

Port Washington, N.Y.-based distributor PACOA reported a double-digit increase in attendance at its Annual Spring Dealer Market at the Queens College Fitzgerald Gymnasium. 

PACOA’s marketing manager Maria Lukac said 500 attendees took part in the March 24 to 25 event, an 11.5% increase over the previous year’s attendance.

March 26, 2012
Consumer perception index improves slightly

Consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group shows consumer perception of the economy increased slightly in March, compared with the prior month and the same month last year.

The March figure for the NPD U.S. Economic Perception Indicator measured 40.2, with 0 being “very concerned” and 100 being “very confident.”

March 3, 2012
Stat Flash: Consumer perception index slips

Consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group shows consumer perception of the economy slipped in February compared with the previous month and the previous year.

The February figure for the NPD U.S. Economic Perception Indicator measured 39.5, with 0 being “very concerned” and 100 being “very confident.”

March 2, 2012
Hand tools, by the numbers

Channel analysis

Hand tools, that great infantry of home improvement products, are fighting back. According to consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group, year-over-year change in the dollar volume of hand tools rose 9.3% to $1.33 billion.

Demographic analysis

February 21, 2012
Stat Flash: Economic Perception remains a concern

Consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group shows some positive movement in consumer sentiment in January, but concerns linger.

The January figure for the NPD U.S. Economic Perception Indicator rose to 40.0 on a scale of 0 -- "very concerned" -- to 100 -- "very confident." The figure is an improvement upon 37.4 recorded in December, but it is below the year-ago figure of 41.4:

February 10, 2012
Lawn mowers, by the numbers

Channel analysis

The year 2010 was a year of double-digit declines for lawn mower sales. Happily, 2011 saw an 8.1% increase, according to consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group, though lawn mower sales remain below the 2009 sales of about $3.2 billion. The resurgence is making the biggest impact at warehouse home centers (WHC) and specialty stores, according to the data.

January 6, 2012
Caulk & Sealant, by the numbers

Channel analysis
Dollar sales and unit sales of the caulk and sealant category both showed year-over-year gains, according to consumer research from the Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group. But unit volume is down compared with two years ago. The warehouse home centers dominated — nearly three of every five tubes of caulk — but have trended down in the past 12 months.

December 9, 2011
Stat Flash: NPD U.S. Economic Perception Indicator

Consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group shows consumers are feeling a little better about the economy, but not as good as they felt last year at this time.

The November 2011 NPD U.S. Economic Perception Indicator, a measure of consumer confidence, increased slightly to an index reading of 37.4, on a scale of 0 -- "very concerned" -- to 100 -- "very confident."

The November reading is up from 35.9 in October. A year ago, the perception indicator index was at 40.5.

December 5, 2011
Fertilizer/Herbicide/Pesticide, by the numbers

Channel analysis

Consumer research from the Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group showed sales in the Fertilizer-Herbicide-Pesticide (FHP) category are growing — up 5.5% from a year ago to $1.31 billion. According to NPD, sales may be boosted by a DIY approach to lawn care, a low-cost alternative to hiring professional lawn care services. 

November 15, 2011
Hardware stores ‘gaining momentum,' says NPD study

Consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group indicates that the home improvement industry grew 2% in the 12 months ended September 2011 compared with 2010. Specialty retailers and online shopping are making significant gains, and hardware stores are also “gaining sales momentum,” the research showed.

Home improvement, as tracked by The NPD Group, includes categories in hand tools, power tools, outdoor power equipment, storage and organization, faucets and shower heads, lighting and electrical, fans, and caulk/glue/adhesives.

November 7, 2011
Air-powered tools, by the numbers

Channel analysis
Air-powered tools have a market size of $184,163,000, according to research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based research firm NPD Group. Consumer research also shows mass merchants and specialty stores are growing, while warehouse home centers dominate the field.

November 3, 2011
NPD U.S. Economic Perception Indicator

There were no mixed signals this time from the NPD U.S. Economic Perception Indicator. October was down from the previous month, and down ever more from the previous year.

Consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group showed that consumers are increasingly concerned about the economy. The October 2011 NPD U.S. Economic Perception Indicator, a measure of consumer confidence, decreased slightly to an index reading of 35.9, on a scale of 0 -- "very concerned" -- to 100 -- "very confident."

September 29, 2011
Faucets, by the numbers

Channel analysis
Year-over-year sales of faucets declined 10.8% in the 12 months from September 2010 through August 2011, according to consumer research from the Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group. The group estimated total sales during that period in excess of $1.2 billion. Unit volume also declined year over year, but only 4.6% — indicating consumers are shopping for bargains, and finding them.

September 29, 2011
NPD U.S. Economic Perception Indicator

The general perception of the U.S. economy in the eyes of the consumer is slightly better than last month, but slightly worse than last year.

Consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group shows that consumers remain concerned in September.

The September 2011 NPD U.S. Economic Perception Indicator, a measure of consumer confidence, increased slightly to an index reading of 36.6, on a scale of 0 -- "very concerned" -- to 100 -- "very confident."

September 28, 2011
NPD Group sees more clicks behind purchases

The Internet is playing a bigger role than ever in home improvement sales, and not just as a research tool, according to research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group. 

“It’s clear the Internet is playing an increasingly important role in the home improvement market,” said Kevin Gilbert, director of The NPD Group.

September 18, 2011
HIRI Information Summit coming to Chicago

The 2011 HIRI Home Improvement Industry Summit will include a presentation from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group that intends to identify areas of opportunity for manufacturers and retailers.

September 16, 2011
NPD U.S. Economic Perception Indicator

Consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group shows a sharp rise in concern over the economy in August.

The August 2011 NPD U.S. Economic Perception Indicator, a measure of consumer confidence, is down slightly to an index reading of 35.1 on a scale of 0 -- "very concerned" -- to 100 -- "very confident."

The August reading is down from 39.6 in July. A year ago, the perception indicator index was at 40.3.  

August 31, 2011
Closet and laundry storage

Channel analysis
Sales of closet storage and laundry storage declined 1.3% and 1.5%, respectively, in the 12 months ended July 31, according to consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group. Dollar volume, according to NPD, was about $2.94 billion for storage in the closet, and about $180 million in the laundry room. Unit volume declined more than dollar volume, indicating an increase in average ticket.